tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64265435433208407762019-02-17T22:54:07.035-08:00Life of LauraLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04529633680395040217noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426543543320840776.post-88872830330924629102017-10-30T11:03:00.001-07:002017-10-30T11:04:07.013-07:00PUMPKIN, SPINACH AND LENTIL LASAGNE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rA46CQ6Gtrs/WfG4bezAmcI/AAAAAAAAFkA/eORRGenlNbc8ShyRr-EZRPYMZgnV6nkQwCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1111" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rA46CQ6Gtrs/WfG4bezAmcI/AAAAAAAAFkA/eORRGenlNbc8ShyRr-EZRPYMZgnV6nkQwCLcBGAs/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />With Halloween tomorrow, you can't move in the supermarket for Pumpkins but rather than carving mine this year (because I am not safe at that), I opted to cook with it instead.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I've been in love with Pinterest over the past few months, if you'd like to see what I've been pinning please do give that a <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lifeoflaurablog/" target="_blank">follow</a>, and have come across countless delicious sounding and looking recipes. This lasagne is a take on a recipe I found over on there with a few tweaks to better suit me.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div>You will need:</div><div><br /></div><div>1 onion diced</div><div>2 crushed garlic cloves</div><div>1 cubed pumpkin (I peeled, de-gunked and chopped mine)</div><div>800g of tinned lentils, drained</div><div>1/2 cup of vegetable stock</div><div>800g passata</div><div>400g lasagne sheets</div><div>150g spinach (I use frozen)</div><div>500g Ricotta</div><div>As much cheddar as you're down for - I love cheese (although I did slightly overcook it, damn).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFfzfLDuIJc/WfG4hBtGhrI/AAAAAAAAFkE/XaUOpJPitukb7Pq7_gDJg-Z3fgTMsW08QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFfzfLDuIJc/WfG4hBtGhrI/AAAAAAAAFkE/XaUOpJPitukb7Pq7_gDJg-Z3fgTMsW08QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1352.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Let's go:</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Heat your oil in a pan and fry your onion for around five minutes.</div><div>2) Add in your pumpkin cubes and lentils, together with the stock and 600g of the passata and leave for around 15-20 minutes.m</div><div>3) At the same time, pop your frozen spinach in a pain of boiling water for a few minutes until soft, drain and stand until your pumpkin is ready.</div><div>4) Once the pumpkin is cooked, mix in the spinach before allowing the mixture to cool.</div><div>5) Once cool, layer the lasagne sheets on the bottom of the tray, adding a layer of the pumpkin mixture on top.</div><div>6) Add a further layer of lasagne and a layer of ricotta.</div><div>7) Add another layer of lasagne sheets and a second layer of pumpkin mixture, more ricotta and then a final layer of lasagne sheets (at this point I must admit, I was just slapping things wherever they would fit.</div><div>8) Pour the remaining 100g of passata over the top and cover in cheddar.</div><div>9) Bake for around 35 minutes.<br /><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">And that's it. It tasted great, looked slightly slap dash and I did over cook the cheese, but hey, I did it myself and apparently popping some foil over the top for the duration of oven time and removing it for the final few minutes stops the cheese situation occurring so next time I'll give that a go!&nbsp;</span></div><div><br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04529633680395040217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426543543320840776.post-1521397451655379372017-10-19T07:54:00.000-07:002017-10-19T08:02:16.678-07:00MY LOVE FOR OCADO & TOP VEGGIE/VEGAN PICKS<br /><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for ocado" src="http://www.ocadogroup.com/~/media/Images/O/Ocado-Group/image-gallery/ocado-logos/large-images/ocado-the-online%20supermarket.jpg" height="229" width="640" /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, for some reason a few months ago, I received an email into my inbox inform me that <a href="https://www.ocado.com/webshop/startWebshop.do" target="_blank">Ocado </a>were now delivering in my area. I guess I must have signed up for alerts way back and totally forgotten, but in any event, I decided to have a bit of a nosy on their site and see what they had to offer above and beyond my usual Sainsbury's delivery service.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />For those of you who don't know, Ocado is an online supermarket who deliver to your door.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being a vegetarian, mainstream supermarket options can be a bit limited at times, although granted ranges are improving generally, and so naturally this was my first port of call on Ocado's site.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is heaps, and I mean heaps, of veggie options. Stuff I'd never before seen or even heard of. Types of fake 'meat' that I'd never tried before, basically it's a bit of a treasure trove for all things veggie (and vegan).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You could be forgiven for thinking that this post is sponsored, but nope. I just genuinely love the service and wanted to share some of the great little deals and also some of my favourite products with you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So to start, Ocado always have great deals on, whether that be insane 3 for 'x' pounds, their three month free delivery pass, a certain percentage off or free gifts (shout out to my tea towel and chocs), you'll always get these deals emailed to your inbox when you sign up. I also love the returning of carrier bags scheme - you get money back for each bag returned (even from your previous orders) which is awesome because is anyone else who gets home delivery literally SWIMMING in bags?! You need them to take the food into the house because there is literally nothing worse than unloading those crates without, but then they just sort of sit there.. Props Ocado.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On to my favourite bit- FOOD. I&nbsp; love food.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) <a href="https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Pieminister-Heidi-Goats-Cheese-Sweet-Potato--Spinach-Pie/38773011?from=favourites&amp;tags=%7C20000&amp;param=browse&amp;parentContainer=FAVS" target="_blank">Pieminister Heidi Goats Cheese, Sweet Potato and Spinach Pie.</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First up- THE BRAND NAME - Pieminister. I got these by chance as a substitue to the same filling but from Square Pie as they were out of stock (you can turn substitutions on or off) and I laughed so hard when I saw the name. It was also a lucky twist of fate really that these were substitutions because they are soooo much better than Square Pie's offering (sorry Square Pie, you served me well for a time but your day in the sun is over). They have little sesame seeds on the top which I love and go perfectly with some parmentier potatoes on the side.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2) <a href="https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Vegideli-Cheatin-Streaky-Style-Rashers/54610011?from=favourites&amp;tags=%7C20000&amp;param=browse&amp;parentContainer=FAVS" target="_blank">VegiDeli Cheatin' Streaky Style Rashers.</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The BEST veggie bacon I've ever had. It even looks more realistic than the rest with little fake pieces of fat on. That probably sounds a bit gross to some but it obviously doesn't taste like fat (because of course it's not real fat) but that aside if you are getting weirded out by it, it taste blooming great. And it's done in a frying pan in couple of minutes too - so you absolutely have time far a 'bacon' butty before you rush off to work.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3) <a href="https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/VBites-VegiDeli-Duck-Style-Pieces-with-Hoi-Sin-Glaze/275199011?from=favourites&amp;tags=%7C20000&amp;param=browse&amp;parentContainer=FAVS" target="_blank">VegiDeli Duck Style Pieces with Hoi Sin Glaze</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another VegiDeli one (which FYI I <i>believe </i>is a vegan brand). I've had mock duck from a chinese once before and I was not about it. It felt rubbery and weird and tasted like.. well not much. I LOVE these pieces. I fry them for a few minutes then stick them on tortillas with cucumber, spring onions and lashings of hoi sin sauce. So good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4) <a href="https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Vivera-2-Veggie-Burgers/358032011?from=favourites&amp;tags=%7C20000&amp;param=browse&amp;parentContainer=FAVS" target="_blank">Vivera Veggie Burgers</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've never liked Quorn burgers. I find them to taste quite plasticky and chemically. I instead usually stick to Linda McCartney, HOWEVER, we have a contender with these guys. I love sticking cheese on mine, and again they're fried in a few minutes, so very convenient. Also the shelf life of these, as with most, if not all, of Ocado's veggie stock is bloody brilliant. I find Sainsbury's fridge veggie stuff tends to have about four/five days tops. These all have weeks, if not a month, and that's great because food wasteage sucks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">5) <a href="https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/VBites-Making-Waves-Gourmet-Fish-Style-Steak/235303011?from=favourites&amp;tags=%7C20000&amp;param=browse&amp;parentContainer=FAVS" target="_blank">VBites Making Waves Fish Style Steaks</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's not too long since Quorn started selling their vegan fish fingers which I was all over initially because since they discontinued their "fish" pie years ago, I'd had nothing of a similar texture. These guys though - great. Perfect if you want to do a vegan take of fish and chips, fuss free - oven for about fifteen minutes if I recall correctly and really tasty.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Waitrose-Cauliflower-Bites-with-Buffalo-Dressing/360187011?from=favourites&amp;tags=%7C20000&amp;param=browse&amp;parentContainer=FAVS" target="_blank"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Waitrose-Cauliflower-Bites-with-Buffalo-Dressing/360187011?from=favourites&amp;tags=%7C20000&amp;param=browse&amp;parentContainer=FAVS" target="_blank">6) Waitrose Cauliflower Bites with Buffalo Dressing</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ocado also stock Waitrose Food. I love these cauliflower bites. I appreciate that not all veggies/vegans like 'meat' substitutes and this would be my top pick, alongside the pie (sorry for the cheese vegans), for those of you that's applicable to. I love cauliflower. I think these are awesome. Not enough people give cauliflower a fair chance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've never been one to preach about being vegetarian, and if you are cool, vegan; cool, neither; great - you do you, but I do know how tricky it can be to get variation sometimes when you're shopping in regular supermarkets (and if you're unfortunate enough to only live near a spar, good luck getting anything more than quorn mince once a month when they have about three bags delivered), so hopefully this might help. Any new vegetarians and vegans - get yourself on to Ocado, it's so much easier these days than it used to be to avoid meat, but still keep variation, over eleven years ago when I made the switch.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you don't like the idea of meat substitutes, as I mentioned earlier, there are so many other great choices on Ocado that will suit you too. I personally don't have an issue with meat substitutes; I stopped eating meat because I felt bad, so for me, no meat in whatever shape or form is a good thing. I know some people don't like the taste or texture of meat, while others take the view of "if you don't want to eat meat, why eat anything that resembles it?" - totally fine. Still so may choices.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And if you do eat meat - Ocado has loads of that too, and general groceries. It's worth checking out in this instance for the great deals they always have going on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyone else hungry now?..</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04529633680395040217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426543543320840776.post-14775516007330731002017-10-06T07:05:00.000-07:002017-10-19T06:29:30.883-07:00BLOG SMOG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oW_JFwUJD4Q/WdeHDLMa41I/AAAAAAAAFjI/eJBcg0laOD8wc5J39EuV5k-0WImtx9WngCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oW_JFwUJD4Q/WdeHDLMa41I/AAAAAAAAFjI/eJBcg0laOD8wc5J39EuV5k-0WImtx9WngCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Blogging used to be something I adored, something I would plough hours into each week. A place where I could interact with like minded people and form real friendships. I started blogging in the summer of 2012 and continued pretty consistently until mid 2015, then things took a bit of a nosedive. I found myself no longer relating to many of the bloggers I'd previously loved catching up on posts from; as they grew, so did their budgets, with many of the products they wrote about being unattainable and their flash lifestyles unrealistic to the Average Joe with a 9-5 job and three cats (aka me). They became less personable, their lives less aligned with mine, as did the blogging community generally. I began to care less about faddy products, and more about more 'grown up', less material, topics.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />It seems as though I wasn't the only one feeling as though times had changed, as I noticed many other bloggers seemed to fall of the face of the earth around the same time, being replaced by the, shall we say, 'super blogger'. Yes, many of these bloggers bought their own houses around the same time as me, are in the same stages of their relationships as me, and so on, but their version has this beautiful, shiny gloss over it all. Their first homes pristine - let me tell you, over a year on from buying mine, I'm still nowhere near close - their bags and shoes designer and their relationships - full of globe trotting together and whilst all of that is amazing, and I am not at all bashing these people for all they have achieved, it just isn't me.<br /><br />I have no desire to be a full time blogger, but recently I've been pondering and can't help but think that I can't be the only one who feels this way. Surely there are other people who just want to blog for the hobby without the pressure or posting 'x' times a week and reaching 'y' amount of readers. Sometimes it's nice just to know that there are people out there just like you; working hard to make ends meet, with their hair and makeup primarily imperfect, their home a working progress or even none existent at present, and without all their ducks in a row.&nbsp; Just sharing something when they feel like sharing it.<br /><br />I've noticed more 'real life' bloggers cropping up recently (my lovely friend Tasmin did <a href="http://www.grandiosedays.com/2017/09/10-things-learnt-first-home/" target="_blank">this </a>very real post that I shouted a big fat "YES!" to not too long ago), or maybe they've always been there and I've just been looking in the wrong places, but I know that that is a community I want to be part of. Somewhere where real life is celebrated, and achievements are more than just blog based. Where every personal obstacle that someone overcomes can be shared, and those who are struggling can be supported. And that's why I want back in, whether that be on a part time or even very loose basis.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04529633680395040217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426543543320840776.post-55290238703784791142017-02-17T10:01:00.003-08:002017-02-18T03:24:28.516-08:00TROPIC GOOD SKIN DAY RESURFACING SERUM<center><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95t375L5r5k/WKAz2RC6aUI/AAAAAAAAFbg/Uq2LfyKpT-cJzRXLg5-fHhRAjL4YbUsPgCEw/s1600/a3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95t375L5r5k/WKAz2RC6aUI/AAAAAAAAFbg/Uq2LfyKpT-cJzRXLg5-fHhRAjL4YbUsPgCEw/s640/a3.jpg" width="640" /></a></center><center></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsQGD0U83fk/WKAz2OYPRTI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/08dlDUR3GSAAZwkKq_tEClaZa5v7FY53QCLcB/s1600/a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsQGD0U83fk/WKAz2OYPRTI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/08dlDUR3GSAAZwkKq_tEClaZa5v7FY53QCLcB/s640/a1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1vbr46JUbM/WKAz2Hy8mOI/AAAAAAAAFbg/NgoGFHlAWQsgXdVn7vdL1QCESrnP6p23QCEw/s1600/a2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95t375L5r5k/WKAz2RC6aUI/AAAAAAAAFbg/Uq2LfyKpT-cJzRXLg5-fHhRAjL4YbUsPgCEw/s1600/a3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.tropicskincare.com/skincare/good-skin-day-serum.html" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Tropic Good Skin Day Resurfacing Serum | £42*</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><center></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">You may have seen my post of Tropic's Super Greens Serum a couple of weeks ago, where I spoke about all things Tropic and you can read that <a href="http://www.lifeoflaurablog.com/2017/01/tropic-super-greens-nutrient-boost-serum.html" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for more information on the company and their ethos if you'd like to familiarise yourself a bit more, but for today, I'm just going to jump straight into the product itself.<a name='more'></a></center><center style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.tropicskincare.com/skincare/good-skin-day-serum.html"><br /></a></center><center style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.tropicskincare.com/skincare/good-skin-day-serum.html">Tropic's Good Skin Day Resurfacing Serum</a>&nbsp;is a fruity little cocktail of AHA and BHA acids designed to rid you of dead, dull skin and leaving your face radiant and bright with a lit from within type glow to it.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">While I have used chemical exfoliators before, it seems that the idea of them puts the fear of god into some people, it seems odd to me that these same people are more than comfortable scrubbing their face with abrasive micro beads without a second thought.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">I think it may be the idea of putting acid on your face which might not sit well with some, however with AHA acids derived from Australian lime pear extract and fruit acid complexes and BHA acids from willow bark extract, this serum does nothing but wonderful things to your face. No burning, no tightness, just lovely, fresh skin.</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">The unique combination of AHA and BHA acids help to encourage collagen production while deeply exfoliating. Hyaluronic acid is also added into the mix to help with plumpness and hydration.&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">The first thing I noticed about the serum, before I even applied it to my face was the gorgeous smell. It's super fruity, and if I didn't know any better, I'd have probably considered ingesting it - not recommended, do not do this. The serum includes papaya enzymes and probiotics to minimise pores, lemon extract to help with brightness and mango extract to protect against free radicals (yes, those pesky things again!) and in turn, preventing premature ageing.&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">Coconut water is also included in the serum for added hydration and you can probably see now why it smells so good!</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">What I really like about this serum is that it's oil free. I feel that this differentiates the serum from a lot of others on the market. Despite its lack of oil, the serum still manages to be super hydrating.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">As someone with sensitive skin, I can vouch for the fact that it doesn't burn skin. While Tropic recommend a patch test if you're worried about the serum on your sensitive skin, I just went for it (because it smelled SO good!) without any problems, but of course, if you are concerned, it can't hurt to test beforehand.</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">Once on, there is a definite tingle, but no burning. Just enough so that you can tell the serum is working its magic. It's not uncomfortable and lasts around sixty seconds.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">I apply about three pumps of the serum at night after cleansing about three times a week, and apply my moisturiser with SPF the following day as recommended by Tropic due to the increased sensitivity to UV rays after resurfacing.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">I have noticed a real difference in my skin in the time I have been using Good Skin Day. It's brighter in the mornings after use and I've found that makeup glides on much better also that morning and in the following days between usage. It feels soft and smooth and not at all uncomfortable or tight as I have found with some chemical exfoliators in the past.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">I feel like I look healthier and have noticed that even during this horrible cold I have at the moment, after using the serum, I look much more awake and slightly less like a zombie.&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">The serum is vegan and cruelty free which is always a bonus, regardless of your views or dietary habits, it's nice to know no cute fluffy bunnies were harmed in the creation of something you're putting on your face.&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">As with the <a href="http://www.lifeoflaurablog.com/2017/01/tropic-super-greens-nutrient-boost-serum.html">Super Greens Serum</a>, the Good Skin Day Serum is £42 for 30ml. It's going to last while and for the results, also as with Super Greens, it is absolutely worth the price.&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">And so, the love affair with Tropic continues...</center>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04529633680395040217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426543543320840776.post-83089655372008435652017-02-12T04:52:00.000-08:002017-04-11T05:10:38.522-07:00BEE GOOD INTENSIVE HAND REPAIR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7I0fgDRGJc4/WKBDNfvToPI/AAAAAAAAFb0/_23IHU0HS2M4Kyrti9N1SBGOiP39Fe8dACLcB/s1600/photo_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7I0fgDRGJc4/WKBDNfvToPI/AAAAAAAAFb0/_23IHU0HS2M4Kyrti9N1SBGOiP39Fe8dACLcB/s640/photo_picnik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://beegood.co.uk/products/honey-borage-echium-hand-repair" target="_blank">Bee Good Intensive Hand Repair - £12*.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hand cream is one of those things that I feel that a lot of people don't reach for until their hands are already in a sorry state. I've been guilty of it myself, because &nbsp;nothing screams 'you need hand cream!' like tight red knuckles and dry itchy palms, but as I'm sure you've been told countless times by countless people, prevention is always better than cure.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My hand cream of choice this winter has been <a href="https://beegood.co.uk/products/honey-borage-echium-hand-repair" target="_blank">Bee Good's Intensive Hand Repair</a>.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm a big fan of Bee Good and use a number of their products on a weekly, if not daily basis. In fact, I had planned to do a round up of my favourite Bee Good bits last year before life got in the way so if that's something you'd like to see, let me know!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You may have read in my last review type post that the companies behind the products are really important to me. Bee Good are a home grown British company started by beekeeper Simon and his wife Caroline, with a lip balm and hand cream created in the couple's kitchen using excess honey and bees wax from the hives. Fast forward a few years and the team has expanded but have very much kept their ethics of natural and cruelty free skincare at the heart of what they do.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alongside creating a range of wonderful products, Simon and his team continue make charitable donations to help the population of British bees as well as planting wildflower meadows UK wide and educating young British beekeepers in keeping our bees safe. If you'd like to find out more about the work the Bee Good team do, you can read up on it <a href="https://beegood.co.uk/pages/about-beegood" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hand cream itself is consistent in terms of quality and efficacy with all of the other products that I've tried from Bee Good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is packed with honey, of course, borage and echium.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I'm sure you're all well aware of the benefits of honey in skin care. Honey has natural anti bacterial properties, as well as anti ageing properties- because hand's age too. It is also known for being extremely moisturising and soothing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lesser know however may be borage and echium; both plants known for their anti-inflammatory properties as well as for being moisturising. The borage plant is known in some countries as 'bee plant' or 'bee bread' as its brightly coloured flowers are known for attracting bees. It makes it seem fitting therefore that it's been used in this way. Echium is a good source of omega for vegetarians and vegans and it's this component that helps with the anti-inflammatory side of things. It is also known for its ability to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles by increasing structural proteins in the skin when applied. There is research to suggest that both plants also have a calming effect and may even be beneficial in easing depression.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bees wax is also popped in there giving the cream a Vitamin E injection. Allantoin in great for skin cell renewal and protection, and propolis is another boost in the anti-bacterial department.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With lots of seemingly wonder-ingredients, you'd expect this cream to do a good job, and you'd not be wrong. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cream is pretty thick but isn't at all sticky and is absorbed easily without leaving any residue. It smells none offensive, with a barely there midget gems vibe about it which I love.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cream is marketed as a hand cream but it can be used on other areas prone to dry skin too. I have actually been using it around the edge of my nose this past week to clear up dry patches I've obtained while I've been blowing my nose 24/7 thanks to this god awful cold I'm harbouring at the minute. It's working well. Due to the thickness of the cream though, on the whole, I don't think I'd use it on the entirety of my face but Bee Good do plenty of other great facial moisturisers for that anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From a price point, I don't think £12 is bad at all, there are a number of more pricey hand creams I've tried which haven't matched up in terms of performance. 50ml is a reasonable amount of product too and while it won't last you forever, it isn't going to break the bank to repurchase.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Quick shout out to the packaging too. The pump dispenses just the right amount, there is nothing worse than when you get a tube and you squirt out too much by accident of when the excess ends up going hard and gross round the outside of the lip of the tube.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So yes, I like the <a href="https://beegood.co.uk/products/honey-borage-echium-hand-repair" target="_blank">Intensive Hand Repair</a> very much. It's seen my hands (and nose) through winter and that is no mean feat.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04529633680395040217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426543543320840776.post-91122723967645682372017-01-22T10:07:00.002-08:002017-02-12T04:54:40.573-08:00TROPIC SUPER GREENS NUTRIENT BOOST SERUM <div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sx0fLlkl1Cs/WITz2DQsC6I/AAAAAAAAFYY/W_UU1P60EDw0hQE9uxJ2Ttc2VjjTSWfvwCEw/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sx0fLlkl1Cs/WITz2DQsC6I/AAAAAAAAFYY/W_UU1P60EDw0hQE9uxJ2Ttc2VjjTSWfvwCEw/s640/a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPCkuqdXdm4/WITz70CsWBI/AAAAAAAAFYk/vA2aX0zO2_EECJrtCbUlDwztkqUomEMcACLcB/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPCkuqdXdm4/WITz70CsWBI/AAAAAAAAFYk/vA2aX0zO2_EECJrtCbUlDwztkqUomEMcACLcB/s640/d.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bo19Y-64MYU/WITz3PyUbLI/AAAAAAAAFYc/Zv5bt7vEow4KKFX_qYEvHQSZQ4_5j9APgCEw/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bo19Y-64MYU/WITz3PyUbLI/AAAAAAAAFYc/Zv5bt7vEow4KKFX_qYEvHQSZQ4_5j9APgCEw/s640/b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0Z3fpyQQYI/WITz4OUhKII/AAAAAAAAFYg/Zpdd3cU0EboLbi4xt2MLQhvd2fMCZFntACEw/s1600/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0Z3fpyQQYI/WITz4OUhKII/AAAAAAAAFYg/Zpdd3cU0EboLbi4xt2MLQhvd2fMCZFntACEw/s640/c.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.tropicskincare.com/whats-new/super-greens-serum.html" style="font-size: x-small;" target="_blank">Super Greens Nutrient Boost Serum - £42*</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If I hear one more person resolving to eat better this year, I might just combust. Actually, that's a lie. If the motivation of a New Year is what you need to start a health kick, great, I'm all for it. Just please do not follow this up with the phrase 'New Year, new me', at least not out loud. Or to my face.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />It seems odd to me, however, that people make these resolutions to look after their body better by thinking about what they put in to it and by exercising without thinking about what they put <u>on</u>&nbsp;it. While eating your greens and drinking lots of water will inevitably help your skin out, there's nothing wrong with giving it an extra little boost. My boost of choice for this year and the latter part of last has been the <a href="http://www.tropicskincare.com/whats-new/super-greens-serum.html" target="_blank">Super Greens Nutrient Boost Serum</a> from <a href="http://www.tropicskincare.com/" target="_blank">Tropic</a>.<br /><br />Tropic is the baby of Susan Ma, who appeared on The Apprentice in 2011. She used the platform to promote her love of natural and cruelty free products and won over Sir Alan Sugar who went on to invest as an equal partner in the company.<br /><br />Tropic is a social selling business and the aim of the company is to not only provide beautiful products, but to encourage the people who love using them and support the company ethos to start their own beauty business by showcasing the products themselves. If you are interested in the business side of things, you can find out more about that <a href="http://www.tropicskincare.com/pamper" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Business side put to bed, it's high time I got on to the product itself.<br /><br />I have to confess, prior to being contacted, I hadn't heard of Tropic or any of their products. Before ever agreeing to have a product sent over, I like to do my research to try to ensure that it's going to be a good fit for me. I like to know about the company and their background, and their overall ethos and outlook. With Tropic, reading into the press release and browsing their website, I could tell that they were a company I would thoroughly love to get to know better through the trailing of their products which are all natural, free from harmful chemicals and vegan and cruelty free. <br /><br />While I am not fully vegan myself, I am vegetarian, and am trying to make more conscious choices with the beauty products I use. This will probably be something which is played out on my blog as I try to transition my products over to purely cruelty free, so on a side note, I would be grateful of any brand and product recommendations that you have for foundations as this is something I have found difficult. Unfortunately, I am yet to find one to rival my MAC Face and Body in terms of formula and appearance on the skin, but I digress.<br /><br />The Super Greens Serum is packed with concentrated kale, chlorophyll and maca root extract. These hardworking ingredients provide a vitamin (namely C, E and K - who knew there was a Vitamin K?! K for kale - coincidence? I think not...) boost to the skin, giving it instant life and glow. Something which was much needed after the copious amounts of unhealthy food I ploughed my way through over Christmas.There is also tamanu oil in there (organic of course) which is known for it's anti inflammatory properties, helping to calm any irritation and blemishes and reduce any scarring. Marula and kendi oils also help in calming redness and irritation leaving a clear and even complexion. And for those coffee addicts, there is even a green coffee extract thrown in to help stimulate cell renewal and protect against pollution and free radicals. I'm sure there's a band somewhere in the world called The Free Radicals, and if not, there should be!<br /><br />Of course, all these ingredients sound like a dream team but as I'm no scientist, for me, the proof was always going to be in the pudding.. which I also ate way too much of over the festive period.<br /><br />I like to apply the serum every morning after applying my moisturiser. I find that a little goes a long way and the little pipette application is great for ensuring you don't grab to much product. I pop a few drops onto my finger tips then massage it in to my face for around thirty seconds. It soaks in quickly and doesn't leave skin feeling sticky or slimy. The only evidence it's ever been there is the glow it leaves behind.<br /><br />The serum itself is green, but no need to panic, the colour does not translate onto the skin, no angry looking hulks here.<br /><br />There is an instant difference to the skin after using the serum, glow and radiance and more long term, I have noticed my skin to be overall much softer and more smooth.<br /><br />The only potential downside to this little wonder product is the smell. It's green, it's packed with greens and it does smell a little green. It doesn't offend me at all, but it is definitely there. That said, it only lingers for a short time and so, if you're really not a fan, breathe through your mouth for a bit, you'll be alright- your skin will thank you.<br /><br />From a price point the serum is, in my opinion, good value for money. It's priced at £42 but is currently on sale on the Tropic website for £31.50. You get 30ml of product and for those of you that have used a serum before, you'll know that a little goes a long way.<br /><br />Super Greens is a really good way of being healthier in 2017 without having to hit the gym and sacrifice your box of half eaten Celebrations (because all of the good ones have already been taken) just yet, and Tropic as a company is one that you should certainly check out.<br /><br />I have just started road testing another serum from Tropic, the <a href="http://www.tropicskincare.com/whats-new/good-skin-day-serum.html" target="_blank">Good Skin Day Serum</a> and so far, so good. I'll be reporting on that once I've given it a fair test, but for now, I'd love to know if you've ever tried anything from Tropic, and whether you have any firm favourites.<br /><br />Final side note, because this post hasn't already had enough of them, what a PR team! I know one of the lovely girls there, Rosie, and have done for a few years now (gosh, where does the time go when you're blogging?!) and the pride they take in their PR samples is just astounding. I was completely blown away by both the Super Green's package and Good Skin Day one (which you will see at a later date), and Rosie told me that the cute little cards you see in the images are actually drawn by a member of the team, Kelsey. What a lovely and talented bunch. I'm off to figure out a way to display the little cards in my house - no, really!<br /><br /><br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04529633680395040217noreply@blogger.com2